As NFL pundits moan about quarterback injuries after week 2, CFL followers can add a feather to their cap, or toque. Did they forget what can happen in football?

Easy. Remember that this is all new to our friends south of the border. They’re just settling in after a long offseason. Three-down football fans are weathered after fifteen weeks. North of the 49TH parallel, the quarterback carousel has been spinning all summer.

Montreal Alouettes at Toronto Argonauts

No team is dizzier than Montreal. The Als were down to their fourth string quarterback. But with McLeod Bethel-Thompson back, and Davis Alexander on the way, they remain one of four teams with shorter than 5-1 odds to win it all. They shocked the Grey Cup favourites last week in Saskatchewan to snap a five-game skid. This week they’re in the big smoke and as their quarterback situation solidifies, the Argos turn to Jarret Doege who’s making his first CFL start in two years. Here’s the thing, without Chad Kelly nobody believed in the Argos when it was Nick Arbuckle under centre even though he leads the league in passing yards and is now the fifth choice to win MOP. Toronto was dead and buried just before Labour Day, they’re now in playoff position after three straight wins. Under Ryan Dinwiddie, this team is finding a way. Look no further than last week when they committed six turnovers and still waked it off. I’m not saying the win streak survives but somehow, someway, I think it’s within seven.

THE PICK: ARGONAUTS +6.5

BC Lions at Calgary Stampeders

The Lions got back in the win column last week after back-to-back brutal losses. Not only did they win they covered a double-digit spread. I’ve danced in front of the Lions Den for most of the season, but it appears that Nathan Rourke might not be able to makeup for their defensive deficiencies. This week they’re missing James Butler for the first of two meetings with the Stamps this season. As desperate as the Lions should be, the emotional edge goes to Vernon Adams JR getting his first crack at the team that let him go. The Stamps always had a reputation for being great after their bye going back to the days of John Hufnagel, especially at home. This year they beat the Bombers by 21 at home after a week 4 bye. Then, they beat the Riders by 17 at home after a week 11 bye. They’re coming off another bye and they’re at home. There’s a pattern there.

THE PICK: STAMPEDERS -5.5

PLAYER PROP: JUSTIN McINNIS OVER 67.5 RECEIVING YARDS

I might be souring on the Lions as a team, but I still love their quarterback. Nathan Rourke is going to have to throw the ball a lot this week if they’re going to have any hope, especially without the league’s leading rusher in Butler. But they still have two of the league’s top five receivers. Keon Hatcher leads the CFL in yards, while Justin McInnis is fourth, first among Canadians. McInnis has gone over this number in back-to-back games and that was while the Lions were playing with the lead for most of both. This week, I see a scenario where Rourke, Hatcher, and McInnis all go over their totals and the Lions still lose.

SATURDAY PARLAY?

Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Ottawa Redblacks

Edmonton Elks at Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Can I interest anyone in a little Saturday Parlay? Like drinking at brunch, it feels a little naughty. But we’re adults, right? We can do what we want with our weekends, and I want to play with a couple of dogs. Chris Streveler settled in last week after a pair of early interceptions. Even if his turnover troubles continue, the Bombers ought to be able to keep this close enough. With all their issues at quarterback, the Bombers defence has been under appreciated. And for as good as Dru Brown has looked for the Redblacks at times, he’s making his first start in over a month.

The Elks lost a heart breaker in Toronto last week. It was the first time since week 7 that they allowed an opponent to score 30 points. On offence, they’ve only scored fewer that 20 points twice since Cody Fajardo took over at quarterback. This team has been fighting to avoid playoff elimination since the middle of July, while the Ti-Cats have been cruising to an East Division title. I’m riding with the herd.

THE PICK: BLUE BOMBERS alt spread +9.5 / ELKS alt spread +9.5 (-104)

RecordLast weekSeasonGame Picks2-127-19Player Props1-07-7Total3-134-26